Reading Focus for 2011 – 2012

I don’t want to eliminate spontaneous reading, but for the remainder of 2011 and 2012 I’m going to try to read within a few generously broad categories to attempt to attain a balance between focus and freedom.

With a baby coming in spring 2012, I imagine my running total will probably be way lower

Here is what I foresee reading about in 5 broad categories:

(not in any particular order)

1. Baby stuff. This includes parenting guides,  fatherhood books, and kids books. I’ve made a light foray into this already. The basic idea here is to become better prepared and educated. Also, in regard to kids books, I specifically want to learn how to tell stories to a kid and also want to get a feel for what is out there.
2. Theological studies. In the Bible reading aspect of this, I plan to focus on the two portions of the Bible that are largely narrative: the Gospels (esp. Luke and Mark) and Kings/Chronicals/Samuel. I plan to read and re-read these texts as well as reference material on them. In addition to that, I would like to continue to study more on the 7 letters in Revelations, ecclessiology, prayer, the French Reformation (Viret, Farrel, etc.), the Puritans, Anabaptists, and the Early Church.
3. Literature. I want to continue to read literature from Britain, North America, Russia, and Yugoslavia. I want to read authors I’ve read multiple works by (Wodehouse, Tolkien, Dostoevsky, Bulgakov, Chesterton, Lewis, Twain,  AC Doyle, George MacDonald, Shakespeare, etc.).  Also, there are authors I’ve only read one book by that I’d like to dig deeper into (Wendel Berry, Danillo Kis, Solzhenitsyn, Robert Service, etc.). And, finally, I would like to explore new authors (Gogol, Charles Frazier, Robertson Davies, etc.) I would like to explore Historical Fiction more than I have in the past.
4. Companions to Literature. In addition to reading literature itself, I’d like to do a fair amount of reading about literature, whether it be biographies, critical work, etc. Basically, I want to read about the context, interpretation, and application of the authors I’m reading.  I will also try to find works that deal with the importance of literature for Christians and relating Christian faith and literature.
5. Eclectic historical interests.  I’d also like to explore my ongoing eclectic historical interests ranging from the Red Scare during the Cold War, local history (Windsor & Essex County), the U.S. Civil War, the radical journalism of I.F. Stone, the history of the FBI/CIA, Africa/Middle East, Cuba, organized crime (cartels, prohibition era, biker gangs, etc.)  I’d also like to take an introductory dip into some Canadian history topics such as the various prime ministers, Louis Riel, etc.

The point is not to never divert from these categories, but rather to use them as a guide and follow them for the most part. Perhaps I can attain to having 98%  of the books I read falling into one of these categories. They should be broad enough to encompass variety. The idea is not to be restrictive, but rather to get me thinking about what I’m reading and how it fits into what I want to read generally.

Also, I will attempt to limit my reading to 4 books at a time, ideally spread evenly across 4 of the 5 categories.